RIPPL authorised signatory Dr MSN Murthy gave the assurance during a meeting with the JAC at the company’s base camp in Kikruma, Phek district, on November 2. The meeting followed an inspection of the National Highway-29 Package-II stretch from Chakhabama to Kikruma, involving JAC members, company representatives and frontal organisations from Kohima, Phek, Meluri and Kiphire.
The inspection began at RIPPL’s stone quarry site in Chakhabama and ended at the Kikruma base camp. JAC Convenor Vivolie Kezo expressed dissatisfaction over the prolonged delay and questioned the commitment of the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDCL) to completing the project on schedule.
Kezo noted that RIPPL had been awarded the project on January 5, 2024, with January 4, 2026, set as the original completion deadline. He raised concerns about construction quality, alleged deviations from tender specifications and a shortage of machinery, manpower and raw materials, while also citing recurring fuel shortages and delays in staff salary payments as factors affecting execution.
Murthy said concerns relating to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) had been resolved and assured the committee that construction quality would be maintained. He said large-scale execution would resume shortly after November 15, 2026, in line with the ministry’s directive, and reiterated the May 15, 2027 completion target.
The JAC agreed to cooperate with RIPPL but said work would be closely monitored. It warned that failure to meet the latest deadline would lead it to approach higher authorities, noting that years of delay had significantly eroded public patience and confidence in the contractor.